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COVID-19 News

By:

Joe Block

All COVID-19 has now been moved to the News page.

3-27-20

2:15 p.m.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is in our community. Only leave home if it is essential. If you leave home, assume you were exposed to COVID-19. Monitor for fever, cough, shortness of breath, and sore throat. If you develop symptoms, isolate yourself immediately.

Dane County Executive Parisi and Madison Mayor Rhodes-Conway acknowledge that our community has hit a critical point in our response to COVID-19 and will face more challenges given the evidence of community spread. Both are urging members of the community to immediately take further steps to reduce their travel and in person interaction.

“It is going to get worse before it gets better. Given the rise in the number of people we have identified with COVID-19, we know that it is here and spreading quickly,” said Parisi. “We are at a point where people need to assume if they go out to facilities or come into contact with other individuals, they have come into contact with COVID-19.”

While the current number of confirmed cases in Dane County is 138, it is safe to assume that there are many more cases that are out in the community but not confirmed. If you are in contact with other people for any reason you should assume that you may be exposed and that you may be spreading the disease.

Like so many other communities across the nation and the world, Public Health Madison & Dane County has been actively fighting this virus using proven public health tools like monitoring people who test positive and conducting rigorous contact investigations. However, public health and healthcare interventions alone are not enough to contain the virus. There aren’t vaccines or treatment options available yet, enough personal protective equipment in the quantities needed, or efficient and available testing for people experiencing symptoms. What is available is guidance for minimizing contact, quarantine orders, and isolation procedures. These are our best and only tools to not overwhelm our healthcare system and save lives.

Everyone has an active role in protecting our community. By staying at home, you are protecting the most vulnerable people as well as the people we rely on for healthcare and other essential services.

“The consequences of your actions may be life or death. The virus doesn’t spread itself, people are spreading it; we are spreading it. Madison and Dane County are calling on everyone in Dane County to take this seriously and do their part,” said Rhodes-Conway.

In the coming days and weeks our community will face harsh realities and difficult choices. There are a number of vulnerable populations that are going to be disproportionately impacted by this pandemic, and it’s vital that our community stands together as we move into this new stage of response.

Dane County and the City of Madison encourage all residents to follow Governor Evers' Safer at Home order and stay home, as well as Public Health Madison & Dane County’s recommendations to monitor themselves for symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) at all times and isolate themselves from others if they develop these symptoms.

For up to date community health information, please visit the Public Health Madison & Dane County website at www.publichealthmdc.com, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at publichealthmdc.

Evers announces "Stay at Home" order

Governor Tony Evers announced on Twitter Monday he will be issuing a "stay at home" order Tuesday, closing all non-essential businesses. "I know this has been difficult and has disrupted the lives of people across our state," said Evers, tweeting at 9:34 a.m. "That’s why issuing a #SaferAtHome order isn’t something I thought we’d have to do, and it’s not something I take lightly. But here’s the bottom line: folks need to start taking this seriously."

Only workers providing essential services will be allowed to travel to work. Evers explained, "That includes folks like healthcare professionals, grocers, family caregivers, among other people whose work is critical for folks across our state."

He also advised, again, Wisconsin residents to stay six feet away from each other if they must go outside.

Evers announcement ended with, "There will be additional details soon about what this order means for you, but I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to prepare and plan ahead so you can help do your part to keep our friends, neighbors, and communities safe."

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